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(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 05, 2009 ) Wauwatosa, WI - Dr. Chris Milkie explains "pain in the heel is one of the most common complaints I see." In fact, according to studies, millions of people suffer with this condition yearly. What makes it so common is that we are an active society, and we put too much stress on our feet. We also need to remember the negative impact of shoe fashion.
"The type of heel pain I am referring to is the pain someone would feel on the bottom of the heel" Dr. Milkie continues. (Pain in the back of the heel is a whole different condition.) Pain on the bottom of the heel usually is present when you first step out of bed. It is also present when you get up after sitting for awhile or after you have been on your feet for awhile. This condition is usually a strain and inflammation of a large tendon that attaches to the heel bone.
The strain can come from overuse, excessive weight, wearing unsupportive shoes, an injury or flat feet. There is a specific foot structure and movement of the foot that predisposes one to this strain. If your arches are flat, you like to go without shoes around the house and you wear mostly flat shoes, you are at high risk for this condition.
Heel pain can happen to all age groups, men and women and whether you sit or stand at work. Of course, some professions such as teachers, nurses and anyone who stands all day, are more prone to this strain. If you stand all day, you wear shoes with little support and you are overweight, your chances of developing heel pain dramatically increase.
"Treatment of heel pain can be very easy or quite challenging" Dr. Milkie reports. It usually is determined by how quickly someone with this problem gets professional treatment from a podiatrist. "Unfortunately, the average time it takes for someone to consult a specialist for this condition is three months. If it is treated within one month, in most cases it can be eliminated in one or two visits . Waiting longer than a month to be treated often results in several more visits and modalities needed to stop the pain. In fact, the need for surgery increases the longer one waits to be treated."
There are several things you can do to help prevent heel pain. (1) Wear shoes at home even if it is something like crocs. (2) Keep your weight under control. (3) Wear high quality athletic shoes such as New Balance or Brooks when exercising or standing a lot. (4) Stretch your calf muscles daily. (5) Gradually increase your activity level to avoid overuse strain.
Dr. Milkie advises "if you experience pain in your heel, or know someone who does, see a podiatrist sooner rather than waiting. Taking action promptly by seeking medical attention may then require only one visit to fix the problem."
Visit Dr. Chris Milkie's blog at http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/blog/ for more information on prescription orthotics, and many other treatments to relieve foot and ankle conditions, or to get information on the newest, and highly successful laser treatment for toenail fungus.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Milkie, or to learn more about Mayfair Foot Clinic, visit http://www.mayfairfootclinic.com/
Mayfair Foot Clinic
Dr. Chris Milkie
414-257-0676
webmaster@mayfairfootclinic.com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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